40 Man (Pt. 3)

The Marlins, as does pretty much every Team in Major League Baseball this time of year, have quite a few decisions to make over the coming days when it pertains to the 40 Man Roster. The Marlins 40 Man is currently full, while NRI competition in Fish Camp is still abound. MLB announced there will be 28 Man Active Rosters throughout the 1st month of the Regular Season. Who among the Marlins NRI's may find themselves on that 28 Man Roster on Friday? And who on the 40 Man may find themselves replaced come April 8??

Over the last couple of weeks Monte Harrison and Isan Diaz were both Designated for Assignment in order to create 40 Man Roster Space. Yoan Lopez, who had taken Harrison's spot on that Roster, has too since been DFA'd and now finds himself with the Mets. Tommy Nance was claimed from Chicago by the Fish a few days ago as well, and so goes DFA limbo. That's because any time a player is removed (DFA'd) from a Team's 40 Man Roster, that player is exposed to Waivers and can be claimed by another Club.

In order to be a part of a Team's 28 Man Active Roster come Opening Day, you must first be a part of that Club's 40 Man Roster. Another way to create 40 Man Roster space is by placing an Injured Player on you're 60 Day I.L. In other words, that player must spend at least 2 months on the Injured List, while accumulating service time in the process (if Injury occurred with Big league Team). 

The name Sean Guenther (40 Man Roster Player) and surgery were mentioned Friday. Guenther seems destined to begin the Season on the 60 Day I.L.

 

Dylan Floro could be an I.L possibility in his own right. But unlike Guenther, Floro's Injury doesn't seem as severe and seems more destined for the 15 Day I.L to begin the Season (which does not free up a 40 Man Roster spot). Floro's I.L requirement however brings a need to the Active 28 Man Roster come Opening Day.

Non Roster Invitee Shawn Armstrong has impressed the Marlins up to this point in Spring. We talked about Armstrong & fellow NRI Jimmy Yacabonis in a previous post about the Bullpen and what they could bring to the table in 2022. 

Will Stewart (part of the J.T Realmuto Trade in 2019) had been given ample opportunity this Spring to stick as a 3rd Lefty out of the Pen. Stewart has flashed his potential in the past, but inconsistency throughout his Minor League Career had only found him as a Non Roster Invitee this Spring, as in pasts. 

Another move that has flown under the radar is that of more seasoned Lefty Grant Dayton, who signed a Minor League Deal around mid-March. Could the Roster status change for Dayton and/or Armstrong during the coming days?? After all, they're seems to be 3 spots open in the Marlins Pen. 

Manager Don Mattingly has already said the Club will cary 15 Pitchers on Opening Day.

Competition on the Position Player side could be even tougher in Marlins Camp. That's because 30 Year Old Willians Astudillo has shown his defensive versatility and bat to ball skills this Spring. While 33 Year Old Lorenzo Quintana's interesting story and big Spring start at the Plate had given the Marlins something to ponder. Astudillo & Quintana are both Non Roster Players, which means the Marlins would need to create Roster space on their 40 Man in order to add what seems will be only 1 of the aformentioned, with Astudillo's many gloves giving him the leg up.

Defensively, Centerfield continues to be a question mark inside the Club. Both NRI's Roman Quinn & Delino Deshields (Who was Released today) haven't seen much time at the Position this Spring. Could a move be on the horizon as the Season approaches? Could it be for a 4th Outfielder?? Somebody should tell the Organization that Bryan De La Cruz is still in Triple-A.

Weather it be additions to the Bullpen or Position Player side, names will have to be moved from the Marlins 40 Man Roster. Paul Campbell, a Rule 5 Pick from last Season, has not appeared in a Big League Spring Training Game in 2022. Could a Brett Graves type move be made to see if Campbell can sneak through waivers unclaimed and remain in the Marlins Organization, after claiming a Roster spot all of last year? Could a Tommy Nance find himself in DFA limbo for a second time in a week?

Tougher decisions lay ahead for the Marlins inside that 40 Man Roster. But so is the case for 29 other Clubs. Hey, it must be that time of year, as Spring is coming to an end ⚾️.